SoupBus donors remember Samantha

CALLS to donate to the Ballarat SoupBus volunteer meal service in the name of Samantha Murphy are being met with support from the community.

Since its establishment late last month, the GoFundMe fundraiser has exceed its $2000 goal by nearly $800 and SoupBus and OnTrack Foundation founder Craig Schepis said it’s incredible to see people rallying behind the initiative.

“We found out just recently the family put this in place,” he said. “It astounds me that, going through so much grief, people can still be considerate of others in need.

“Samantha was dropping off donations to us consistently over a long period of time, it was something she loved to do.

“She would always be asking ‘what is it you need?’ She would see Facebook posts about items we were desperate for, purchase them and bring them down. She was always helping us without fail.

“I’m a born and bred Ballarat person and extremely proud to be part of a community that rallies consistently to support others.”

The SoupBus operates five evenings a week between its central business district location near Cameron’s Metaland, and an indoor space at the Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre.

The latter was established in November last year and though Mr Schepis said it’s been a gamechanger for the SoupBus, volunteers are struggling to keep up with demand.

“We’re 15 years in, and I’ve never seen demand as high as it is right now,” he said.

“Where we’d get maybe up to 60, 65 people during really desperate times, we’ve got a minimum of up to 70 each night.

“Our Wendouree service runs two nights a week with an indoor sit-down meal and that’s gone from a dozen to 70 people. We want to expand the nights because of demand but the problem is getting the food.

“The amount going out is outstanding. We have a big pantry at Wendouree the size of four standard ones, and it’s emptied at the end of every service.

“The good thing is we’re coping and catering with the days we’ve got on. I don’t see any long-term solution but I love to see people are more than happy to keep contributing.”